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Sunday, 30 July 2017

I have some make-up products that I use every single day, but I also like picking up some treats for myself every now and again. Superdrug is my go to for both my make-up essentials and a little beauty fix. Their make-up aisle is just an Aladdin's cave for all things beauty and you could spend hours picking out an amazing new lipstick colour or finding a new miracle foundation to try!

Superdrug has a really amazing selection of make-up brands - from Rimmel to L'Oreal and Maybelline - there's literally every thing you could have dreamt of.

I'm a self-confessed lipstick addict. I love all kinds of shades, from nudes to pillar box reds and bright, bright pinks, I'll never say no to a lipstick. This particular one - Number 10 Sunkiss - has been my perfect summer coral shade. It creates kind of a matte look, without drying out your lips and it's also pretty light and easy to wear in the daytime. Bonus points, I've also found that it lasts quite well. I've been wearing it constantly since I got it! It's just the perfect colour when the sun comes out (or when you're just wishing for the sun....)

This is a mascara that I've been wearing for years and years, really for as long as I can remember. Out of all the mascaras I've tried over the years I always come back to this one, it just suits me and I've never found one that I prefer. It really elongates your eyelashes, lengthening them and separating them - just as you want a mascara to do! The fibre formula helps to build intensity and stretches out every single eyelash, with the thinner wand making to easy to apply. L'Oreal has found a fan for life with this mascara and I can't see myself changing anytime soon!

The B. Make-Up Brushes, sold in Superdrug, have been developed and designed by make-up artists. They really are quality brushes that do what they say on the tin. The bristles are silky-soft fibres made from Taklon a synthetic material. The brush edges are also precision shaped to help you to achieve the desired make-up effect and aim to help you to re-create professional looks. They're just lovely to use and (I know that this might sound silly) but comfortable to hold - which I think makes a difference in a make-up brush. I'll be building up my collection!

Wednesday, 26 July 2017

Every year on August 1st the whole of Switzerland celebrates their National Day and the founding of the of Swiss Confederation in 1291. This was when the three cantons, Uni, Schwyz and Unterwalden, came together and now all the different areas up and down the country celebrate. The Swiss do have a little bit of a reputation for being slightly reserved, but there's a few days a year when they really let their hair down - and Swiss Day is one of them!

We started our day of celebrations in Grindelwald.

The mountains that surround the alpine town are just amazing. Everywhere you turn the views are simply breathtaking and the majestic slopes of the Alps tower over you with a powerful presence. And they're just as magnificent in the summer as they are covered in snow and ice in the winter - I promise!

We jumped on a gondola and headed up to the top.

When we got there we decided to do the slightly terrifying looking Cliff Walk.

This is not one for you if you have a fear of heights. The First Cliff Walk by Tissot hugs the side of the mountain right beside the sheer rocks. The narrow and winding platform twists and turns with the mountain-side and you can get up really close to rock-face, fully immersing yourself in the amazing scenery.

It's a pretty spectacular way to admire the amazing Swiss alpine vista.

Once our legs had stopped shaking we headed for a more relaxing afternoon in Wengen.

The quaint village is transformed into a colourful and patriotic Swiss wonderland. Swiss flags cover every corner of the village with bright bunting standing out in the trees. It's a really relaxed atmosphere as you wander around, but behind the relaxing ambience there's a certain thrill in the air as everyone is feeling excited about the nights festivities.We found a beautiful terrace to relax on and enjoy a glass a glass of wine. The sun was shining, swiss bunting was swaying in the trees and we were surrounded by a beautiful garden with blooming flowers.

We were even treated to an impromptu concert!

A group of locals arrived playing the traditional alphorn. It was amazing to see these ancient instruments being played. They had quite a haunting sound and there was a certain nostalgia to them. They were also really relaxing though as the soft sounds lulled you, transporting you to a bygone world. It was pretty special to hear these instruments being played by the local people in their traditional Swiss outfits. In the past they were used to communicate over the mountains and it was a lovely moment hearing them being played on Swiss Day.

We soon headed back down the mountain on the romantic cog-railway to Lauterbrunnen.

At the end of every Swiss day the skies are filled with fireworks!

Everyone from the village gathers together as darkness falls and someone important in the community will give a speech. Everyone then sings the national anthem - I had to mime this one! A massive bonfire lights up the night as everyone cheers!

Fireworks then explode into the sky, bursting into the darkness with stunning colours. They sound even more impressive as they echo against the cliffs with earth-shattering cracks and booms. It's a real party atmosphere and it felt like a privilege to be involved in the celebrations.

Have I convinced you to head to Switzerland - if so definitely try and tie it in with the Swiss Day celebrations!

Wednesday, 19 July 2017

We all love a good Superdrug haul don't we and I've got some essentials that all always pick up when browsing the aisles.

I could spend forever in Superdrug browsing all the different beauty products until I found a gem, or two, or three, to try out. But I do constantly find myself running in on my lunch break to pick up some bits and bobs that are always found in my beauty stash, so I thought I'd share with you my 'Superdrug Loves'! I'll be doing this as a mini series and first up.... summer tanning!Superdrug sponsors Love Island, admit it you spend every couple of minutes in a panic at the thought of it ending. You may just have noticed as they frolic about in their bikinis that they're all sporting a cracking tans and that there's various Superdrug bottles lying around.

I pretty much use this tinted moisturiser all year round and pop a layer on most nights after a shower. It just gives your skin a nice glow every day and makes you feel just a bit more summery inside with its very natural and sun-kissed look. I'm also obsessed with moisturising, morning, noon and night, and this cream is really a moisturiser first and foremost with just a hint of tanning ingredient. It's enriched with extract of apricot to leave your skin soft, keep your skin hydrated with a touch of colour - perfection!

Jetting off to sunnier climes - then don't forget to pop into Superdrug as they do a really great range of sun protection. It' ticks all the boxes; advanced UVA/UVB protection, water resistance, as well as 8 hour hydration with antioxidant Vitamin E and Aquarich. It's also a really lovely sun cream as it's lightweight and non-greasy. Most importantly it's dermatologically approved and is perfect for pale Scottish skin (like mine) that may be a little sensitive in the sun. This is an essential to pack away for holidays!

We all need a bit of a helping hand every now and again though don't we! The bronzing lotion is perfect if you need a more immediate tan. It's packed with aloe vera and Vitamin E to moisturise and condition whilst you tan. Best of all it's really easily absorbed and dries really quickly so you're good to go! It definitely wasn't patchy to apply and gave a really smooth finish, allowing you to build up the colour until you're happy. And my pale legs definitely need it! Plus once you're done you can just wash it off.

Tuesday, 11 July 2017

This is one of the dreamiest of summer days and if I could choose, it would definitely be my groundhog day.

Switzerland is one of the most beautiful places in the world. But, the problem is that when someone says the world for most people it conjures up images of snow-capped mountains, roaring fires and drinking hot chocolates with mitten-covered hands. I'm here to change that! I'm on a one-woman mission to convince you all that Switzerland is simply beautiful all year round and maybe you should think about it for your next summer adventure.

Last summer we spent the most idyllic day on the shores of Lake Brienz.

Lake Brienz, in the canton of Berne, is a stunning spot. I mean just look at the colour of it! I can't even tell you how beautiful it is, it's the most amazing blue/turquoise colour and the spectacular mountain scenery encircles it, rising up majestically from the shores.

We started off our day in the quaint Swiss town of Isetwald. From here we wandered along the woodland path until we found the perfect spot to set up camp for the day.

One great thing about walks in Switzerland is that there's all these open air barbecues dotted in openings. All you need to do is pack a picnic bag and get ready to settle in. There's all these stunning spots that the paths just open up on to and the other great thing is that they're never busy and never feel overcrowded.

We popped some hot dogs to sizzle on the BBQ, lodged a bottle of wine in the water to cool and my Mum sat back relaxed and dipped her feet in the water waiting for lunch to be ready.

Lunch is served!

You can then spend the afternoon sipping on rose and swimming in the beautiful blue water - I'll warn you it's a little cool though! It's so mesmerising and peaceful sitting here for a few hours. It's so easy to lose track of time and just admire the amazing place that you've found yourself in.

But eventually you have to go!

This isn't too bad though and you can walk through the forest along the waters edge, making your way through tunnels of rock and winding through the trees.

It's not a difficult walk and soon you end up at Giessbach. At the top of the hill its the GrandHotel Giessbach. It's a fairytale castle that watches over the lake all year long.

Don't worry you don't have to do the walk back - the paddle steamer will take you! There's been a regular boat service on the lake since 1839 and there's a lovely nostalgic feel to catching the steamer back to Isetwald. Find a spot on the deck and spend some more time admiring the awe-inspiring beauty of the lake and mountains.

Switzerland definitely has romance to it and there's just something so magical about this place that I really can't even put into words.

And once you've had a hard day barbecuing, swimming, walking and admiring the view you better treat yourself to an Aperol Spirtz as you enjoy the last of the sunshine....

Sunday, 9 July 2017

What are the two things that are all over the shops right now - gingham and frills!

I've fully fallen in love with the gingham trend that's adorning shop rails at the moment and I must confess I also have a soft spot for a bit of frill. So when I saw the cutest top that combined both of these I knew I had to have it!

I spied this New Look top online and it immediately went in my basket. I feel I'm lacking in nice tops to wear at the moment and I find myself constantly wearing the same plain white tops over and over. And whilst my love of a good white top will never wane when I open my wardrobe I definitely feel like I need some tops that are a lil more exciting.

And in steps this lovely number...

It ticks so many trends at once - gingham and frills! I love the way the frills add a different shape and dimension to it, with the picnic basket gingham being the perfect fabric to keep me from reaching for the fail-safe white top.

I had been searching for the perfect army-green 'shacket' for a while and this little number was actually my second option! I had originally bought a much lighter version, but it got wrecked in the wash. So after thinking I'd found my perfect match I was on the hunt again! But, I soon spied this version and was absolutely delighted.

It's a little heavier, so actually much better for the Glasgow climate. It has definitely turned into something that I throw on all the time. It's just so easy to pop on over a t-shirt for a bit of cover and it's also nice to have an alternative to my denim jacket. I can definitely see what the 'shacket' has been all over instagram for the last little while!

This is also a new bag that I've added to my collection.

One lunchtime I popped into House of Frasers for a little wander around. And oh my goodness the sale was fantastic! I'd needed a new daytime bag for the weekend and this one was just what I'd been looking for. The tan is such a good colour as it goes with literally everything and I love the addition of the metal handles.

Seen any tops that you love lately? Share them with me so that I can do some more shopping - yaaa!

Wednesday, 5 July 2017

I'd been dreaming about visiting The Olde Young Teahouse since I started stalking their instagram - I mean you just have to have a look! It's filled with the most delicious looking cakes and treats that honestly look like absolute heaven. When I was down at Burnsyde Beach House for a weekend away I was so excited to find that the Teahouse was just a stones throw away in Middlesborough and what better way to finish a birthday weekend!

I was absolutely delighted as soon as I walked in the door...

The little tea getaway is charmingly quaint with the most the most adorable vintage chic vibe. The wallpaper is perfection (I really adore it!), big granny-chic lampshades hang from the ceiling and the bunting adds the perfect finishing touch. The mismatched vintage crockery adds to the shabby-chic feel and is the prettiest place to enjoy an afternoon treat.

Jars of all kinds of tea line the walls...

And the counter is piled high with amazing home-baking...

There really is every flavour of tea you could dream of. There's Green Cherry, Celebration Tea and Caramel Cream, amongst hundreds of others! I went for a Blue Flower Earl Grey. Just delightful. I do love a cup of Earl Grey and it's just finished off nicely with a hint of floral notes.

It arrived perfectly brewed to enjoy with a lunchtime sandwich.

The menu at the Teahouse has everything you could ask for from a tea-stop. There's Afternoon Tea, an assortment of sandwiches and bagels. I mean sometimes there's just nothing like a good sandwich.

The home-baking really is the pièce de résistance.

If you're on a diet don't look...

Some of their past creations have been Jammy Dodger Cupcakes, Oreo Cake, Cherry and Toblerone Cake and the delicious sounding Banoffee Cupcakes! And even as we sat and tucked in amazing creations just kept appearing out of the kitchen - these bakers are genius. I'd actually already been lucky enough to be treated to some caramel cupcakes earlier in the weekend (absolutely sublime) so I decided to go for one of the amazing looking scones.

I'm a bit of a scone fan. I just can't resist them smothered in clotted cream with a layer of jam...

The Olde Young Teahouse has a certain charm to it. It's just delightful. The atmosphere is so relaxing and just lovely, with all the fabulous Tee Bee's having smiles on their faces. It was also so sweet to see a Teahouse regular settle into her favourite spot, chat to the lovely girls behind the counter and tuck into a big slice of cake. It's clear how much love has gone into the Teahouse and it's just one of the most wonderful places to sit and truly indulge. I really wish the Teahouse was nearer - I would be there every weekend! If you're ever in that part of the country definitely stop by - just send a piece of cake my way...

Sunday, 2 July 2017

We all love a delicious cocktail don't we? Well I took on the really strenuous task of tasting some amazing new concoctions at Blythswood Square Hotel so that I could tell you all my top recommendations from their new cocktail menu. A hard task I know, but someone had to do it!

Blythswood Square Hotel has always been a cocktail destination. Cocktails are always such a treat, so where better to spend an evening supping on them than one of the cities most luxurious hotels. It really is a beautiful building and you feel like a VIP as soon as you step through those doors. The classic architecture blends perfectly with the contemporary design elements giving every space a truly indulgent feel. We were lucky enough to be perched in the gorgeous Salon Bar to taste a cocktail or two...

The cocktail menu is so extensive and you're bound to find one, two, or three that you love! We were tasting some of the new delicacies that had been added to get us in the summer mood!

First up was a champagne cocktail - A Night in Paris. This particular drink was originally launched in the 1920's as an aperitif. It was delightfully refreshing and so easy to drink. The perfect piece to get us started!

All cocktails have a story to tell and it was amazing listening to Head Bartender, Connor, tell us all about the history of the drinks while he shimmied and shaked ingredients together. Every cocktail we tasted had a background to it that was fascinating to hear and it was all about giving these classic drinks a new twist, adding to their story.

Next up, my favourite, the Gin Basil Fix!

Just so delicious! It was so fresh and I could see myself sipping this all afternoon long at a sunny garden party. The smell of the basil is pretty intense, but so delicious. The perfect summer cocktail.

The third drink was called the Chamomile Daisy - how pretty! This was completely different cocktail. It was more sweet and the chamomile gave it a relaxing feel, with the Bacardi giving it a little sugar rush. It's one of those cocktails that would be such a treat after a long, hard day.

Every we tasted was made from natural ingredients. There was no artificial purees about and this really did make a difference to the taste. With the Chamomile Daisy they even brew their own chamomile.

It was lovely to while away a few hours perched at the bar listening to Connor explaining all the different drinks. Listening to someone that's so passionate about they do is always a treat. He was so knowledgeable and genuinely wanted to share the stories of the cocktails with us.

We finished with a classic Negroni. This is a strong one, but as you slowly sip it the taste definitely grows on you. It first made an appearance in 1850 and has remained a staple on any cocktail menu. And the large cube of ice? That's to stop the dilution and to keep the taste!

Blythwswood brings back the elegance of drinking cocktails. There's a theatrical element to the evening with all the shaking and stirring up, but it's also a luxury to enjoy these drinks that a certain skill goes into making. They're elegant drinks that are decadent, luxurious and indulgent and without a doubt have a touch of class.

It felt like such a treat to sit here on a Monday evening enjoying the sumptuous surroundings and sipping on cocktails - thanks so much to Blythswood for having me along and to Connor who really made the evening. And a huge thanks to Phil from Skapa PR for inviting me along.

Anyone for cocktails?

x x x

*** I attended this event in exchange for a review, but all views are my own